INST 2006
Dimensions of Culture and Society
Otterbein University
FALL 2013
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Heidi R. Ballard
Phone/e-mail: 1367; hballard@otterbein.edu
Office #: Towers, Rm. 212
Hours: M 1-3; T&TH 1-1:30; F 1-2 or
by appt.
II.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course broadly examines issues of social structure, culture, and diversity in domestic and global
society. Students will analyze the dimensions of our changing society with emphasis on the continuing
inequalities in the distribution of wealth and power and access to community resources. The course
explores the intersection of structure and culture in real world terms and situations that we often take for
granted. In particular the class will evaluate case studies of everyday interactions that occur within the
course of community service provision. This may include such fields as inequality, globalization,
immigration, racial and ethnic relations, family and children’s services, public health, community
organizing, and other areas dealing with social justice and social welfare. Through its practical focus this
course introduces students to the basic elements of the social sciences - structure and culture – as we
shape them and as they shape our perceptions, expectations and opportunities in the world.
III.
INTEGRATIVE STUDIES GOALS AND COURSE GOALS
This course seeks to fulfill specific goals and outcomes set forth for by Integrative Studies for the
Connections thread. The goals for the Interconnections thread are:
Goal 1: To inspire intellectual curiosity about the world.
Goal 2: To assist students in cultivating intercultural knowledge and competencies.
Goal 3: To promote active and critical reflection on the human self in it full range of contexts.
Goal 4: To encourage purposeful public engagement and social responsibility.
See below for 1) a complete description of Interconnections goals and outcomes and 2) a chart of
goals and outcomes emphasized in this course specifically as they align with our assignments.
IV.
REQUIRED BOOKS AND READINGS
 The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Ann Fadiman
 Honky by Dalton Conley
 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Additional Required readings are found on Blackboard under “Course Content.”
IV.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Possible points:
I RaT and T RaT
Reflective Writing
Final Reflection Paper
E Portfolio Post
Presentation
80 points (10 pts each)
50 points (10 ea./depending on number of papers assigned)
30 points
10 points
5 points
INST Events (2 min)
Attendance
Participation
TOTAL
10 points (5 points each)
15 points
15 points
235 points (approximately)
Individual Readiness Assessment tests (I-RAT) and Team readiness assessment tests (T
RAT): 10 points each: worth 100 points total. Upon completion of each of our course themes
students will be individually tested (IRaT) and then will assemble in groups for a team
assessment (T-Rat.) The assessments focus on fundamental concepts and information examined
in each theme. Each test contains 10 questions. Each team receives the same number of points
earned.
.
Reflective writing assignment(s): 10 each. Possibly worth up to 50 points total. Assignments
could take the form of short reflection papers, or individual and team exercises or projects. Points
will vary for each assignment depending on number of assignments. Assignments are announced
in class. Guidelines are below.
Final Reflection Paper – Worth 25 points. Guidelines below and TBA.
E-portfolio paper/project post: 10 points each. Everyone is required to post at least one paper
from this course in their e-portfolio that demonstrates how your learning experience aligns with
INST learning goals.
Final Presentation – 5 points. Each student is required to complete a 3-5 minute presentation on
their final reflection paper.
INST Event attendance – 10 points each. Every student is required to attend a minimum of 2
INST approved events and submit a brief reflection in order to receive these assignment points.
Attendance: 15 points - 2 un-excused absences ok; 5 pt. deduction per un-excused absences
after 2 missed classes. Excused absences are approved by instructor and require official, formal
documentation.
Participation: 15 points - Student substantively participates in class discussion
V.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS, unless in the event of an emergency or serious matter for which
student has documented evidence.
Please be considerate and turn off your cell phones in class. Texting and phone calls in class are
grounds for dismissal from class as is use of a computer for purposes other than directly related to
our class.
It is important that we cultivate a culture of intellectual humility in our class. Diverse and even
dissenting viewpoints are welcome but hate speech and disrespectful expressions about other’s
views constitutes grounds for dismissal from class.
Please note that the overall quality of the course and your course grade depend upon completing
all reading assignments prior to the class for which they scheduled. This better enables students
to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Do not email assignments unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. All
assignments are to be submitted in class the day they are due unless you have received instructor
approval for an alternative form of submission.
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are not tolerated. All students are required to review and
heed the University’s “Plagiarism, Cheating and Dishonesty” policy. Any cases of these
violations will receive a 0% grade and will be reported to Academic Affairs.
REFLECTION PAPER GUIDELINES
Students are expected to write up to several 2-3 page reflection papers on selected assigned readings and
reflection questions. These reflection papers will be assigned and announced throughout the term in class
and on Blackboard under “Assignments.” Generally the papers allow students to reflect upon several
fundamental themes presented in the literature. Comparisons and contrasts may be made between specific
articles and the assigned books. Student reactions to readings are encouraged, but should be grounded in
analysis of central concepts and information presented in the material. These papers must be typed.
Grammatical quality will be graded as well. Students are expected to incorporate citations of reference
material to support their analyses. Assignments are TBA.
FINAL PAPER
Students are required to submit a 5-6 page, typed, final summary of their course experience. These papers
must comment broadly on the literature, films, course experiences, incorporate citations of reference
material, and contain a bibliography. Specific questions about your experience in the course are
forthcoming that provides further guidelines for these papers.
COURSE GOALS AND OUTCOMES
IS GOALS and
OUTCOMES
Goal 1: To inspire
intellectual
curiosity about the
world as it is and a
deeper
understanding of
the global
condition.
COURSE GOALS
1.
Understand foundational
concepts and practices in social
analysis
a. Social structural
perspectives (as against
individualism)
b. Principle of cultural
relativism (as against
ethnocentrism)
c. Importance of social
institutions
d. Importance of identity
and belief systems
THEMES and
TEACHING
ACTIVITIES
Theme1
Socioeconomic
class structure
Theme 2 Culture
-Readings on
culture and society
to be tested using
TBL exam cycle
-Brief lectures and
group discussion
-“Book Club” with
case study books
ASSESSMENTS
Team-Based
Learning iRAT and
tRAT cycles (one
for each unit)
Reading discussion
and response
papers
Goal 1:
Outcome 2:
Students explore
and analyze the
dynamic
relationship of
global and local
issues or problems.
2.
Understand the increasing racial
and ethnic diversity of US
communities and the broader
structural, cultural and global
context in which they exist .
a. Understand and analyze
causes of social
stratification as it relates
to and intersects with
social class, power,
ethnicity, race, age,
gender
b. Consider impacts of
globalization especially
on as it shapes inequality
and injustice
c. Examine immigration, its
causes and impacts
d. Contemplate social
justice and human rights
and the national and
global forces that shape
their existence
IS GOALS and
OUTCOMES
COURSE GOALS
Goal 2: To assist
students in
cultivating
intercultural
knowledge and
competencies
see goal # 2 on previous page]
Theme 3 Poverty
and Inequality
Theme4 Racial and
Ethnic Relations
Theme 5
Globalization and
Sustainable Social
Systems
Team-Based
Learning iRAT and
tRAT cycles (one
for each unit)
-Readings on
poverty, inequality,
race, ethnicity, and
globalization
- -Inequality
exercise
-“Book Club” with
case study books
-Guest Lecture(s)
Team and
Individual
Reflective Papers
THEMES and
TEACHING
ACTIVITIES
ASSESSMENTS
Throughout all
units.
-“Book Club” with
case study books
Reading discussion
and response
papers
Reading, discussion
and response
papers on case
study books, all of
which deal with
inter-cultural
encounters.
-Individual and
Team reflection
papers and
exercises
Goal 3:
Outcome 1: Students
recognize and engage
that which is other or
unfamiliar to them
Goal 4: To challenge
students to critically
see goals # 2 above]
1.
Consider civic and professional
engagement and responsibility in an
Throughout all units.
-Exploration diverse
social experiences
and opportunities
within a stratified
society
-Team based learning
experience
throughout the term
Throughout all units,
-TBL exercises that
Reflective Writing
assignments
Reflection papers:
examine their ethical
responsibilities and
choices in both local
and global contexts.
increasingly diverse society.
challenge students to
make difficult
decisions with social
consequences
TBL exercise
responses